Let’s talk about Dads

The deepest and truest definition of a Dad, is someone who loves, supports, encourages, inspires – and occasionally embarrases his child. He’s someone you turn to when you’re hurt and vulnerable, or when you’re excited and confident. The one who’s been there for you from day one, wanting to protect and guide you every step of the way. Whether it’s holding your hand, carrying you on his back, or watching on from afar, he’s always had your best interests at heart. When life gets a little too hard, and you just need a break, go find your Dad and ask him to tell you a Dad joke, because I guarantee to you he’ll have one or two saved up his sleeve for every occasion – don’t worry, it’s in the Dad handbook.

Here at Precious Pearl Photography we love being able to capture those special moments between Dad’s and their children, the cheeky grins, the silly poses, the loving looks and the precious snuggles. We capture these moments from a child’s first few weeks of life, to well into their teenage years, but no matter the age, the love and affection is there. Providing incredibly powerful memories, and making already strong bonds, even stronger, is what we love more than anything, and we hope you do too.

When I was younger I couldn’t understand why other kid’s Dads didn’t pick them up from school like mine did. Why they didn’t spend as much time with their Dads as I did. I couldn’t possibly understand how someone could think their Dad needed to be more present in their life, because mine was there, standing by my side, every step of the way. I only realised in the past couple of years that what my Dad had done was very unusual for the time, being a “Stay at Home Dad”, but honestly, I couldn’t love him more for it. He decided to give up his job because he felt he wasn’t spending enough time with myself and my older sister. He decided that being present, and building a connection with his children, meant so much more to him than anything else.

My Dad is one of my favourite people in the whole world because he puts me first, and always has. When I need 5 minutes (or an hour) to rant about how annoyed I am at the world, he’s there. When I want to chill and watch our new favourite TV show or Film, he’s there. When I just need time alone to think, he’s there (on the other side of the door, waiting for when I need a cuddle or a chat). Even when I leave him behind to go off and explore, to see the world, he’s there, supporting my decisions and holding my hand every step of the way. Up until the point where I say that final goodbye.

But I know he’ll still be there, on the other side of the world, waiting for my call. To chat, to rant, for a virtual cuddle or to just sit in silence watching our new favourite show.

I know he’ll always be there.

A Dad carries the weight of his children’s happiness on his shoulders, and he always will, but he’ll also take any opportunity to give you his best material. He’ll be handing out Dad jokes like they’re popcorn at the cinema until he’s grey and old. Even when you’re deep in your teenage years, and everything he does makes you roll your eyes and cross your arms in frustration, that will never stop him. His ability to find humour in the darkest moments will help you later on down the track when you’re floundering in your adult years with kids of your own, a job and a mortgage, yet still managing to find the light and the humour in every situation.

He’s the man that will be the most consistent in your life. Sitting in the front row at your first ever recital – even though your violin sounds like a dying cat, whooping and cheering at the end of your performance like you’re some Grammy award winning artist. He’s the man that will be sitting on the sidelines at your first Netball game, making calls as if he’s been playing the sport his whole life (spoiler: he hasn’t), and yelling at the umpire if any calls get made against you – whether you deserve them or not. Honestly, he’ll make you feel like the most important person in the world, so don’t let anyone make you feel any less. Even though you may think that your first boyfriend will be the only man in your life, your Dad will be the one to help you through that first heartbreak. Telling you that he “never liked that kid anyway”, but deep down, he’s wishing he could take all that pain and hurt away from you, because he truly wants nothing more than to make you feel like you’re the only girl in the world.

To quote the every inspirational Adele; “when the rain is blowing in your face and the whole world is on your case, I could offer you a warm embrace to make you feel my love”. This quote truly encapsulates the warmth and affection that a Father feels for his children and the never-ending need they have to make their children feel comforted and secure every step of the way. But every Dad knows that their children won’t stick around forever, at least not in the way they did when they were kids, being dependent on their parents. He knows that the amount of times he carries his child to bed when they pretend to fall asleep in the car is finite. He knows that the amount times they’ll need help with their homework is finite. He knows that the amount times they’ll get tucked into bed at night is finite.

So treasure those finite memories, and spend the rest of your life capturing those moments to make them last a lifetime, because you never know when the last time will be that you’ll be able to get a photo with your Dad.